Cocoa

The launch of the first of seven solar dryers over the weekend marks another milestone in helping farmers continue to meet the international standards required for global confectionary markets.

With an initial shipment of 500 kilograms of cocoa planned for delivery to Japan in the coming weeks, the solar dryers demonstrate how much needed incomes can be generated in an environmentally sustainable way.

Officially handed over on October 9^th in Terra Constituency, the cocoa dryer was provided as part of CARE International’s Bougainville Cocoa Families Support (BECOMES) project, supported by the Australian and New Zealand governments in partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Government of Papua New Guinea.

Presented to Queerie Economic Unit in Puto village, Mahari Constituency recently, the tools include wheelbarrows, fertiliser, chainsaws, secateurs, bowsaws, pole pruners and a tractor.

Queerie farmer Steven Hetsi said he was grateful for the tools, which will make cocoa farming easier.

“In the past we used bush knives to work in the farms. With the new tools there will be a big change to generate sufficient income that can support me and my family,” Hetsi said.

These efforts were given a significant boost with a second K100,000 grant provided by the Pomio District Development Authority on June 20^th. This follows a previous investment made in September 2018.

This funding will support the continuing efforts of farmers in the Melkoi Local Level Government to construct a second solar cocoa dryer, enable their participation in the Cocoa Excellence show in Lae to showcase products and continue developing locally made chocolate.

The new range are produced from an improved processing method and sourced from locally grown premium cocoa in PNG.

The new range aims to capitalise on the PNG market while also being exportable, with new product the Kina Bar, priced at K1.

Paradise Foods Limited unveiled the products which showcase a new vibrant colour scheme, design as well as taste.

CEO Michael Shields said the new range is a result of a review into the value adding process, production and recipes of the Queen Emma brand.

Communities in Pomio district produce large amounts of cocoa but are isolated and lack access to transport infrastructure, making it difficult to supply their products to international markets.

With the recent signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding, these communities who are part of the Tavolo Wildlife Management Area, are now pioneering a new business venture that will see high quality cocoa exported directly to Japan.

The project will see around 4,000 to 5,000 hectares of cocoa planted as part of the Sepik chicken, grain and cocoa innovation project.

The Project is a partnership between the State and Israeli company, LR Group, and will involve the use of advanced technology to increase yield and production.

Yangoru-Saussia Member and Minister for Planning & Monitoring, Richard Maru, visited the site of the soon-to-be built Momase Regional Nursery, which is expected to deliver 2 million cocoa seedlings per annum throughout the Momase Region.

This is the home of Pump Street Bakery Chocolate, an award-winning brand of bean-to-bar premium chocolate.

Among its range of fine, dark chocolate bars is the Solomon Islands 72 percent dark chocolate bar, the lone bar representing the Pacific under the Pump Street Bakery brand.

They travelled from as far as West and East Sepik, Bougainville, Morobe, Madang, NCD and East New Britain provinces.

The participants hailed the training as an eye-opener, saying they learnt about the quality and profile flavour of chocolate, information that was vital for them to understand the end product from the cocoa beans they produce.

Training facilitators said although the demand for cocoa is yet to reach its peak, there is potential for PNG cocoa to be competitive in the world market.

For the first time, PNG Cocoa Board and industry partners are hosting a domestic Cocoa of Excellence show in the country.

The Air Niugini PNG Cocoa Warwagira 2017, initially planned for March, is now set to take place from May 25 – 27 in East New Britain.

The event will see farmers from 14 cocoa growing provinces within the country showcase their produce.

The aim here is to identify 5 top beans to represent the industry in the international competition in France.